DOBBS, Arthur (1689-1765). An Account of the Countries adjoining to Hudson's Bay, in the North-West Part of America… With An Abstract of Captain Middleton's Journal, and Observations upon his Behaviour during his Voyage, and since his return… London: J. Robinson, 1744. 4to. With folding map of North America. ii [actually iv], 1-211, [1, blank] pp. Approximately 11 ½ x 8 ½". Bound in contemporary mottled calf, boards decoratively ruled in gilt, gilt floral cornerpieces. Rebacked in later tan calf, ruled, and tooled in gilt in compartments, burgundy gilt morocco lettering label, five raised bands (boards edgeworn, some wear to joints, hinges starting, endleaves and blanks offset at margins, some toning, offsetting to text pages, one short tear to right margin of map, some offsetting to map). Near fine. FIRST EDITION OF THIS RARE BOOK ON THE SEARCH FOR THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE. Dobbs started soliciting funds and support for an expedition to discover the Northwest Passage in 1731, eventually funding an expedition led by Captain Christopher Middleton of the Hudson Bay Company. This book is Dobbs' first written attack on Middleton, whom Dobbs was convinced had sabotaged efforts to find the Northwest Passage in order to preserve the Hudson Bay Company's various trade monopolies. Dobbs stated that the HBC had damaged English trade in North America by angering the Native American traders with their greed, thus giving advantage to French traders. Sabin 20404.